Vermin exterminating element and vermin exterminating method using it

ABSTRACT

A vermin exterminating element comprising a culture carrier having culture medium components containing vermin infectious microorganisms and/or the spores of the vermin infectious microorganisms cultivated therein, and a vermin exterminating method using the same.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a vermin exterminating element and a verminexterminating method using the element. More particularly, the inventionrelates to a vermin exterminating element having excellent insecticidalactivity to vermin such as long horned beetles (Cerambycidae), Scarabs,etc., and a vermin exterminating method using the element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, damages of crops by long horned beetles tend to be increased.For example, Psacothea hilaris Pascore is parasitic on a mulberry treeand a fig tree, Anoplophora malasciaca Thomson is parasitic on a peartree and an apple tree, and Acalolepla luxuriosa Bates is parasitic onan udo (Aralia cordata) to give big damages them. Furthermore,Monoehamus alternatus Hope and Semanotus japonicus Lacordaire areparasitic on trees. In particular, the damages of mulberry trees arelarge and spread over a wide range. Long horned beetles lay eggs underbark and the hatched larvae deeply make holes in the xylem to give eatendamages to the trees. The length of the eaten damage hole becomes longerthan 60 cm. A mulberry tree having parasitic density loses itsphysiological function and is withered.

For exterminating long horned beetles, the use of chemical insecticidesmay be considered. However, since long horned beetles are hole-makingvermin, a chemical insecticide is reluctant to reach the larvae in atrunk. Accordingly, it is difficult to effectively exterminate longhorned beetles by chemical insecticides.

Also, since mulberry leaves are used for breeding silkworm, the use of achemical insecticides gives undesirable influences on silkworm. Figs,pears, and apples are foods and hence the use of chemical insecticidesfor them give injuries to human bodies, animals and plants.

For solving these faults, it has been attempted to use mold fungi (e.g.,Beauveria brongniartii (tenella)) which are natural enemy microorganismsto long horned beetles in place of chemical insecticides. Mold fungi arewell parasitic on long horned beetles, in particular, on Psacotheahilaris Pascore but do not have phathogenity to silkworms. Theextermination of long horned beetles using the mold fungi is performedby cultivating the mold fungi in a wheat bran culture medium anddirectly dusting the cultured fungi onto trees such as mulberry treestogether with the culture medium. Dusting of the cultured fungi ispracticed at the adult emergence period of long horned beetles. However,by the method described above, the cultured fungi are in a state neardormant cells since they cannot sufficiently imbibe culture mediumcomponents and hence the desired insecticidal effect of the mold fungicannot be obtained. Furthermore, many of the dusted cultured fungi areabsorbed by soil without attaching to trees, which also reduces theinsecticidal efficiency. Also, even the fungi attached to trees are indanger of being washed out by natural conditions (rain, wind, etc.).Moreover, dusting of a culture medium containing large amounts oforganic substances and high nutriments such as wheat bran, etc., canindiscriminately proliferate natural microorganisms and hence in such acase, there is a danger that a large amount of undesired microorganismsare proliferated to cause secondary microorganism contamination. Such amicroorganism contamination reduces the exterminating effect to verminas well as is in a danger of giving bad influences on human bodies,animals and plants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention has been made for solving the above-described problems inconventional techniques.

An object of this invention is to provide a vermin exterminating elementexcellent is insecticidal effect and a vermin exterminating method usingthe element.

Other object of this invention is to provide a vermin exterminatingelement giving no injury to men and beasts and a vermin exterminatingmethod using the element.

A still other object of this invention is to provide a verminexterminating method which can be easily practiced.

This invention has been made based on the inventor's knowledge that avermin exterminating element having excellent insecticidal effect isobtained by cultivating vermin infectious microorganisms such as moldfungi and/or the spores of the vermin infectious microorganisms in aculture medium containing culture components, the vermin infectiousmicroorganisms and/or the spores of the vermin infectious microorganismscan sufficiently imbibe the culture medium components, whereby a verminexterminating element giving less leaving or washing out of the verminexterminating microorganisms and/or the spores of the verminexterminating microorganisms is obtained, and the insecticidalefficiency is increased by disposing the vermin exterminating element attrees, etc., without accompanying the washing out of the cultivatedvermin exterminating microorganisms and/or the spores of the verminexterminating microorganisms.

It has now been found that the above-described objects have beenattained by the invention as set forth below.

That is, the invention is a vermin exterminating element comprising aculture carrier having culture medium components containing vermininfectious microorganisms and/or the spores of vermin infectiousmicroorganism cultured therein.

Other embodiment of this invention is a vermin exterminating methodwhich comprises disposing a vermin exterminating member comprising aculture carrier having culture medium components containing vermininfectious microorganisms and/or the spores of vermin infectiousmicroorganisms cultured therein on trees, etc., to which verminextermination is applied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 are views of various embodiments of applying the verminexterminating elements of this invention to trees.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A carrier which can carry culture medium components and can culturevermin infectious microorganisms and/or the spores of vermin infectiousmicroorganisms with the culture components therein can be used as theculture carrier in this invention. Examples of the carrier are boards,cloth pieces, foam matrices, etc., or plastic moldings, board moldings,etc., having attached thereto wheat bran capable of cultivating vermininfectious microorganisms.

As a foam matrix which is used for the culture carrier, there are apolyurethane foam, a polystyrene foam, a polyvinyl chloride foam, apolyethylene foam, and a polyether foam but a polyurethane foam isparticularly preferred.

As the vermin infectious microorganisms, there are Beauveriabrongniartii (tenella), Beauveria bessiana, Metarhizium anisopliae,Verticillium lecanii, and Synnematium jonesii. For the extermination oflong horned beetles, Beauveria brongniartii (tenella) is particularlypreferred.

The culture medium components are composed of assimilable carbon sourcesand nitrogen sources containing inorganic salts and a natural organicsubstances.

Examples of the carbon source are glucose, saccharose, lactose, maltose,glycerol, starch, and molasses. Examples of nitrogen source are ammoniumsulfate, ammonium chloride, and ammonium phosphate. Examples of theinorganic salt are phosphates such as potassium dihydrogenphosphate,etc., magnesium salts such as magnesium sulfate, etc., potassium saltsand calcium salts. Also, examples of the natural organic substance areanimal tissue extracts and powdered animal tissues, such as a meatextract, a fish meat extract, a chrysalis powder, etc.; vegetable fiberextracts such as a malt extract, corn steep liquor, a soybean oil, etc.;and microorganism cells and extracts thereof, such as dry yeast, a yeastextract, polypeptone, etc.

As the culture medium composed of such culture medium components, asynthetic culture medium such as a Czapek's culture medium, etc., and anatural culture medium such as a chrysalis powder culture medium, anagar culture medium, etc., are used.

In the case of using a foam matrix as a carrier for the culture carrierin this inveniton, the culture carrier is obtained by foaming a foamingcomposition together with the culture medium components. By employingthe aforesaid manner, the culture medium components are incorporated inthe inside of the foam matrix and hence the cultivation can be made notonly at the surface of the foam but also in the inside thereof, wherebythe cultivation of vermin infectious microorganisms and/or the spores ofvermin infectious microoranisms is effectively performed. In this case,the vermin infectious microorganisms and/or the spores of vermininfectious microorganisms can sufficiently imbibe the culture mediumcomponents existing in the inside of the foam matrix, whereby they donot become dormant cells and the insecticidal effect of the verminexterminating element is increased. Usually, the culture mediumcomponents are mainly physically incorporated in the inside of the foammatrix at foaming of the foaming composition. However, when the culturemedium components having an amino group and/or a carboxy group, and thefoaming composition has an isocyanate group, the culture mediumcomponents cause chemical reaction with the foaming composition atfoaming, whereby the culture medium components are carried in the foammatrix by chemical bonding with urea bonds and/or acid amide bonds.Thus, the culture medium components are firmly carried by the foammatrix and at the same time the cultured microorganisms, etc., areincorporated in the foam matrix. Accordingly, the culturedmicroorganisms or the spores thereof are less separated or flowed outfrom the foam matrix by natural conditions. Furthermore, in this case,the hydroxy group of the culture medium components generates carbondioxide gas by causing reaction with the isocyanate group to acceleratethe foaming.

A polyurethane foam is obtained by reacting polyether or polyester, anisocyanate compound having two or more isocyanate groups in themolecule, and water or other foaming agent. As the isocyanate compound,polyfunctional isocyanates are usually used and examples thereof aretolylene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane diisocyanate, diphenyldiisocyanate, naphthalene diisocyanate, xylene diisocyanate, butanediisocyanate, and triphenylmethane-4,4',4"-triisocyanate. Polyether orpolyester becomes a prepolymer by causing a reaction with the isocyanatecompound and by reacting the prepolymer with water, carbon dioxide gasis generated to cause foaming, whereby a polyurethane foam is formed.

A polystyrene foam is formed by adding a foaming agent such as pentane,hexane, heptane, etc., to a polystyrene prepolymer and performingemulsion polymerization in water.

A polyvinyl chloride foam is obtained by a thermal decomposition methodor a gas blowing method.

A polyethylene foam is obtained by adding petroleum ether, gaseous freon(Freon 12), etc., to a polyethylene prepolymer and kneading and foamingthe mixture by heating.

In the case of any one of the aforesaid foams, by adding the aforesaidculture medium components to the prepolymer of each foam together with afoaming agent, the culture medium components are incorporated in thefoam matrix formed. However, in place of employing such a method, a foammatrix is formed using a peptide such as soluble collagen, gelatin,albumin, etc. (the foam matrix is referred to as peptide matrix), andthe peptide matrix may be impregnated with the culture mediumcomponents. The peptide matrix is formed by reacting an aqueous solutionof a peptide and an isocyanate compound having two or more isocyanategroups in the molecule. As the isocyanate compound, the above-describedpolyfunctional isocyanate is used.

In the aforesaid case, a part of the isocyanate compound reacts withwater to generate carbon dioxide gas and other part thereof reacts withthe amino group and the carboxy group of the peptide to form a urea bondand an acid amide bond, which results in providing a polyurethane foamhaving the peptide matrix in the molecule. The polyurethane foamobtained has excellent hydrophilic property and water retentivityaccording to the properties of the peptide contained in the molecule,and also has excellent naturally collapsing property by a proteolyticenzyme. When the polyurethane foam is impregnated with culture mediumcomponents, the culture medium components are firmly carried in the foammatrix.

Alternatively, a peptide may be added to the forming composition whilefoaming the foaming composition together with the culture mediumcomponents, whereby the culture medium components are more fimrlyincorporated by both the foam matrix and the peptide matrix.

When the foam matrix is a polyurethane foam, the culture mediumcomponents are added to a mixture of the prepolymer (a reaction productof polyether or polyester and an isocyanate compound) and water or otherfoaming agent for reaction. When the culture medium components arewater-soluble, the culture medium components are mixed with theprepolymer as an aqueous solution thereof. When the culture mediumcomponents are insoluble in water, the components are dispersed in anaqueous solution of the prepolymer. The amount of water is preferably inthe range of from 10 to 100 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight ofthe prepolymer. If the amount of water is less than 10 parts by weight,the foaming reaction is delayed and hence a foam having desired foamdensity is not obtained as well as the reaction of the prepolymer andthe culture medium components and the incorporation of the culturemedium components into the foam matrix become insufficient. On the otherhand, if the amount of water is over 100 parts by weight, the reactionof water and prepolymer predominates, whereby the culture mediumcomponents are reluctant to be incorporated in the foam matrix.

The proportion of the culture medium components is from 20 to 500 partsby weight, and preferably from 50 to 200 parts by weight, per 100 partsby weight of the prepolymer. If the proportion of the culture mediumcomponents is less than 20 parts by weight, the culture mediumcomponents are not sufficiently contained in the foam matrix. On theother hand, if the proportion thereof is over 500 parts by weight, theexcessive part of the components over 500 parts cannot be carried in thefoam matrix.

The foam matrix preferably contains a hydrophilic polymer for increasingwater-holding capacity. By the incorporating of a hydrophilic polymer inthe foam matrix, the supplement of water to the foam matrix is scarcelynecessary. Examples of the hydrophilic polymer are agar, polyvinylalcohol, and polyacrylamide. Furthermore, by incorporating an attractantfor vermin in the culture carrier or by using the attractant togetherwith the vermin exterminating element, the insecticidal effect is moreincreased.

The culture carrier using such a foam matrix is, after containing aproper amount of water, sterilized in an autoclave (120° C., 1.2 atms),etc., and then inoculated with vermin infectious bacteria. Then, theculture carrier is subjected to cultivation for, for example, about 2weeks at about 25° C. By the cultivation, the surface of the culturecarrier is covered by vermin infectious microorganisms (hyphae) and thespores thereof to provide a desired vermin exterminating element. Thespore has higher insecticidal effect to vermin such as long hornedbeetles than the hypha. The number of spores grown in this case becomesmore than 10⁵ per unit area (1 cm²) of the surface of the foam. Thenumber of the spores is usually from 10⁵ /cm² to 10⁷ /cm².

The vermin exterminating element thus obtained is mainly used for theextermination of long horned beetles. As an exterminating method, thefoam may be dusted onto trees such as mulberry trees, etc., but forincreasing the insecticidal effect, it is preferred to dispose thevermin exterminating element obtained on the trunks or branches of atree, supports of polyvinyl chloride film-made house, etc.

The vermin exterminating element of this invention and the verminexterminating method using the element can be also applied to Scarabs inaddition to long horned beetles. Scarabs give damages not only to aforestry field such as trees, seedings, an afforested area, etc., butalso to crops such as strawberries, sweet potatoes, peanuts, etc. Ifmold fungi are parasitized the imagoes of Scarabs by using the verminexterminating element of this invention, eggs layed by the imagoes donot hatch even if the imagoes themselves are not killed.

Furthermore, the vermin exterminating element of this invention iseffective not only to long horned beetles and Scarabs but also tonematodes (Nematoda) which are parasitic on living plants and givedamages thereto. In this case, in place of mold fungi, a bacterium,Pasteurella pentrance, which is a natural enemy microorganism to thenematodes can be used.

Various embodiments of using manners of the vermin exterminating elementof this invention are explained by referring to the accompanyingdrawings.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), a culture carrier 10 is shaped intoa thin plate and a perforation 11 is formed at the central portionthereof. As shown in FIG. 1 (b), a branch of a tree is inserted in theperforation 11 to hang the element on the tree.

Long horned beetles are nocturnal insects and have the habit that thebeetles creep about trees and gather at a thick portion of a trunk,etc., at night but they gather at a dark portion such as a shadedportion, etc., in the daytime. Accordingly, if the culture carrier 10 isapplied to a trunk of a tree by inserting a branch of the tree into theperforation 11 of the culture carrier 10, a dark portion is formedbetween the culture carrier 10 and the trunk of the tree. Thus, there isa possibility of gathering long horned beetles at the dark portion andhence the exterminating effect of long horned beetles is more increased.

The perforation 11 formed in the culture carrier 10 may have a sizecapable of hanging the carrier on a branch of a tree utilizing theperforation but if the thickness of the culture carrier. 10 isrelatively increased and the size of the perforation 11 is reduced, thearea of the dark portion formed becomes larger, which makes efficientthe extermination effect to long horned beetles. The number of theperforation formed in the culture carrier 10 is not limited to one butwhen a tree has many branches, plural perforations may be formed forhanging the culture carrier 10 on these branches as shown in FIG. 1 (c).

Also, in place of hanging the culture carrier using the perforation(s),the culture carrier 10 may be directly fixed to trees, supports ofpolyvinyl chloride film-made house, etc., a nail-like member 20 as shownin FIG. 2 (a). The nail-like member 20 shown in FIG. 2 (a) is composedof a metal rod 20a having the sharp point and a spherical head portion20b at the other end thereof and the culture carrier 10 is fixed to atree, etc., by driving the metal rod 20a into the cubic culture carrier10 from the sharp point and also driving the point into the trunk, etc.,of the tree.

The form of the nail-like member 20 and the form of the culture carrier10 are not limited to ones shown in FIG. 2 (a) but a spherical culturecarrier 10 may be fixed to a tree, etc., by using a nail-like memberhaving the top portion bent at almost right angle as shown in FIG. 2(b). Also, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), a culture carrier 10 may be fixed toa tree, etc., using a clamp form nail-like member 22.

A culture carrier 10 may be hung on a tree, etc., using a hanging member31 as shown in FIG. 3 (a) in place of fixing to a tree, etc., using anail-like member. The hanging member 31 is composed of a wire of a metalsuch as iron, stainless steel, etc., the member is penetrated into aculture carrier 10 having a form of thin plate almost perpendicularly,the end portion of the metal wire extended over the lower side of thecarrier is fixed to the side thereof, and other end portion extendedover the upper end thereof is bent for hanging on a branch of a tree,etc. The bent upper portion of the hanging member is hung on the branchof the tree, etc., so that a part of the culture carrier 10 is broughtinto contact with the trunk of the tree. The material of the hangingmember 31 is not limited to metal but a material which is notdeteriorated by wind, rain, etc., and can be easily prepared and shapedis preferred.

The hanging member 31 may be a metal wire penetrating almosthorizontally through a cubic culture carrier 10 as shown in FIG. 3 (ib). Also, the form of the culture carrier 10 is not limited to a cubebut may be a pyramid form as shown in FIG. 3 (c) and further may be acylindrical form as shown in FIG. 3 (d). In the embodiment shown in FIG.3 (d), the hanging member 31 is so disposed that the center portion ofthe metal wire is disposed above the culture carrier and both endsthereof are penetrated through the culture carrier 10 to extend from thelow end of the carrier and bent at the end portions and fixed to thelower side of the carrier. The center portion of the metal wire isextended over the upper surface of the culture carrier 10 with adefinite gap from the upper surface thereof and is hung on a branch of atree or a hanging member, etc., fixed to a support of a polyvinylchloride film-made house by the center portion thereof.

The form of the culture carrier 10 is not limited to a cubic form butmay be a band form as shown in FIG. 4 (a). For example, a pair of doublefaced adhesive tapes 40, 40 are stuck to one surface of such a band formculture carrier 10 and the culture carrier 10 may be stuck to a trunk, abranch, etc., of a tree as shown in FIG. 4 (i b). In place of usingdouble faced adhesive tapes, an adhesive is coated on the surface of theculture carrier 10 and the culture carrier may be stuck to a tree. Theculture carrier 10 is stuck to a tree by winding round the tree in asingle layer as shown in FIG. 4 A or spirally as shown in FIG. 4 B sothat the adhesive surfaces of the both faced adhesive tapes or theadhesive coated surface of the culture carrier is brought into contactwith a trunk or branch of the tree. Also, the band form culture carrier10 is stuck to a tree by winding round two branches of the tree as shownin FIG. 4 C or by sticking to a trunk or a branch of a tree straightalong the axis of the trunk or the branch as shown in FIG. 4 D. Sincelong horned beetles have a habit of creeping on the trunks and branchesof a tree as described above, by sticking the band form culture carrier10 to the trunk or branch of the tree so that the culture carrier coversthe trunk or the branch of the tree, the change of the contact of longhorned beetles with the culture carrier is increased and theinsecticidal effect to long horned beetles is improved. The band formculture carrier may be also stuck to supports of a vinyl chloridefilm-made house.

In place of directly sticking the band form culture carrier 10 to atree, etc., using a double faced adhesive tape or an adhesive asdescribed above, adhesive tapes 51, 51 such as magic tape, etc., arestuck to the end portions of the band form culture carrier 10 in a samesurface as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the culture carrier 10 is bound round atrunk or a branch of a tree so that the adhesive tapes 51 are in theinner side, and may be fixed to the tree by sticking the adhesive tapesto each other to fix the end portions of the culture carrier 10 to eachother as shown in FIG. 5 (b). Also, adhesive tapes 51, 51 are stuck tothe end portions of the band form culture carrier 10 in oppositesurfaces as shown in FIG. 5 (c), the culture carrier 10 is bound round atree so that the adhesive tapes 51, 51 are superposed to each other andthe culture carrier may be fixed to the tree by sticking the adhesivetapes to each other as shown in FIG. 5 (d ). In addition, for fixing theend portions of the band form culture carrier 10 to each other, a keyhook, etc., may be used. Furthermore, for fixing both end portions ofthe band form culture carrier 10 by binding round a tree, etc., a metalwire or a cord 52 is fixed to one end portion of the culture carrier 10and the culture carrier 10 may be fixed to a tree by binding round thetree so that the end portions thereof are in contact with other andbinding the end portions with the cord 52 as shown in FIG. 5 (e).

When the band form culture carrier 10 is bound round a tree, etc., andboth end portions thereof are fixed to each other as described above,the culture carrier 10 is insufficiently brought into contact with thetree over the whole length of the carrier by the existence of unevennessof the surface of the tree to form some gaps between the two members.Thus, since long horned beetles gather in the gaps in the daytime due tothe habit as described above, the insecticidal effect is more increased.

Also, for fixing a band form culture carrier 10 by binding round a tree,etc., and fixing the end portions thereof, an embodiment shown in FIG. 6may be employed. That is, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), a flexible member 60such as a metal wire or a cord is penetrated through the culture carrieralong the axis thereof and both end portions of the flexible member maybe extended over the carrier as shown in FIG. 6 (a). Furthermore, thewires or the cords may be fixed to the end portions of the culturecarrier 10 without penetrating through the culture carrier.

By employing the above-described manner, the culture carrier 10 is fixedto a tree by binding round the tree in a single layer or spirally andtying the end portions of the wire or cord 60 each other as shown inFIG. 6 (i b). In addition, plural wires or cords 60 may be disposedalong the axis of the band form culture carrier 10 and also when thewidth of the culture carrier 10 is wide, plural wires or cords 60, 60,60 may be penetrated through the culture carrier 10 in the directionrectangular to the axis thereof as shown in FIG. 6 (c).

In the case of disposing a culture carrier 10 on a tree, etc., aconstruction that the culture carrier 10 is placed in a tubular case maybe employed. In this case, the culture carrier 10 is shaped into tabularform and the tabular culture carrier may be stuck to the inside surfaceof one side of a triangle-columnar tubular case 71 by an adhesive 71a asshown in FIG. 7 (a). The tubular case 71 containing the culture carrier10 is equipped to a tree by directly sticking the tubular case 71 to thetree with an adhesive tape 71b stuck to the outside surface of thetubular case or by inserting a branch, etc., of the tree into thetubular case 71 as shown in FIG. 7 (i b).

The form of the tubular case is not limited to triangle-columnar form.Also, the form of the culture carrier 10 placed in the tubular case isnot limited to a tabular form. For example, a construction that atriangle-columnar culture carrier 10 is disposed in a cylindrical case72 as shown in FIG. 7 (c) or a construction that culture carriers 10,10, 10 are disposed along the inside surface of a cylindrical case 73 sothat a triangle-columnar space is formed in the cylindrical case 73 asshown in FIG. 7 (d) may be employed.

It is preferred that the tubular or cylindrical case is formed by aplastic, acryl resin plate, etc., which is not deformed and corroded bywind and rain.

In these cases, the tubular or cylindrical case 71 to 73 containing theculture carrier 10 can be easily attached to a tree, etc., and detachedfrom the tree, etc. In the case of attaching the tubular or cylindricalcase 71 to 73 to a tree, the case itself becomes a shelter to form adark place in the inside thereof and thus long horned beetles gather inthe dark place, whereby the insecticidal effect is more increased.

The culture carrier 10 may be so formed that a dark place in the insidethereof for gathering vermin to be exterminated, such as long hornedbeetles. The dark place is obtained by forming a concaved portion 12 ina triangle-columnar culture carrier 10, said concaved portion having anopening portion at one side of the culture carrier as shown in FIG. 8(a). When the culture carrier 10 is formed into a tubular form as shownin FIG. 8 (i b), a dark place is formed in the inside space thereof.Such a culture carrier 10 is attached to a tree, a support of a vinylchloride film-made house, etc., by sticking thereto by an adhesive,etc., or fixing thereto by a wire, etc. When the culture carrier 10 isformed into a tubular form, a wire or cord 86 is inserted into theinside thereof as shown in FIG. 8 (i b) and the culture carrier 10 isfixed to a tree, etc., by spirally winding round the tree as shown inFIG. 8 (c).

Also, in place of forming a dark place in the inside of a culturecarrier 10, a construction that a culture carrier 10 is disposed in adark place may be employed. For example, a semi-cylindricallight-shielding member 81 made of a material having light-shieldingproperty, such as hard paper, plastic, etc., is equipped to a tabularculture carrier 10 and an opening portion is formed at one side thereofas shown in FIG. 8 (d). Thus, one surface of the culture carrier isdisposed in the dark and vermin to be exterminated enter the darkportion from the opening. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8 (e), tape-formculture carrier 10 are placed in a pouch-form light-shielding member 82,the opening of the pouch-form light-shielding member 82 is narrowedslightly by a wire or cord 83 leaving a definite space, and the membermay be hung on a tree, etc., by the wire or cord 83. Moreover, as shownin FIG. 8 (f), a construction that plural block-form culture carriers10, 10, 10 are disposed in a tubular light-shielding member 84 havingbranched ends having light-shielding property may be employed. Thelight-shielding member 84 may be hung on a branch of a tree by a wire orcord 85 with a part of the opening at the end thereof being stuck to thetree as shown in FIG. 8 (c) B.

The light-shielding members 81, 82 and 84 are preferably formed by amaterial which has a light-shielding property and is not easily damagedby wind and rain, birds, etc., such as plastics, synthetic fibers, metalfoils, hard papers, etc.

Then, the invention is explained by referring to the following examples.

EXAMPLE 1

To 1 liter of water was added 40 g of a chrysalis powder, an essence wasextracted, and further 20 g of glucose was added to the extract toprovide a fundamental culture medium. By reacting 275 g of an aqueous 5%gelatin solution with 1,000 g of an isocyanate compound, Sofranate(trade name, made by Toyo Tire and Rubber Co., Ltd.), a polyurethanefoam was obtained. The polyurethane foam was cut into 30 mm×50 mm×10 mmand was impregnated with the above-described fundamental culture medium.After sterilizing the urethane foam in an autoclave (121° C., 1.2 atms)for 20 minutes, the foam was inoculated with 1 to 5 ml of a culturesolution of Beauveria brongniartii (tenella) and the microorganisms werecultivated for 2 weeks at 25° C.

On the vermin exterminating member thus obtained were walked the imagoes(one male and one female) of Semanotus japonicus Lacordaire caught forone minute each. Thereafter, the imagoes were bred at 22° C. whilegiving honey and water but the male died after 4 days and the femaleafter 7 days. During the breeding period, the female laid eggs, whichdid not cause hatching.

The dead insects (male and female) of aforesaid Semanotus japonicusLacordaire were surface-treated with alcohol and stored in a platetogether with a filter paper impregnated with distilled water at 24° C.As the result thereof, it was confirmed that Beauveria brongniartii(tenella) locally generated at the join portions of the dead insects.

EXAMPLE 2

The same test as in Example 1 except that Verticillium lecanii(separated from dead bodies of Psacothea hilaris Pascore) was inoculatedin place of Beauveria brongniartii (tenella) was followed. As the resultthereof, the imagoes (male and female) of Semanotus japonicus Lacordairewere alive for more than 15 days, the male died after 15 days and thefemale after 18 days. However, the eggs laid by the female duringbreeding were covered by mold fungi and did not cause hatching.

When the dead bodies of Semanotus japonicus Lacordaire were stored bythe same manner as in Example 1, Verticillium lecanii generated over thewhole surface of the dead body.

EXAMPLE 3

The same experiment as in Example 1 except that the imagoes of Psacotheahilaris Pascore were used in place of the imagoes of Semanotus japonicusLacordaire was followed. As the result, the imagoes died after 2 weeksand the surface of the dead body was covered by Beauveria brongniartii(tenella) after 4 days since the dead.

EXAMPLE 4

By the same procedure as in Example 1 except that the urethane foam wasimpregnated with 5 ml of the fundamental culture medium and 5 ml of theculture solution was inoculated, Beauveria brongniartii (tenella) wascultivated. After cultivating for 2 weeks at 25° C., the number ofhyphae was measured and the number was 5.3×10⁵ cells/cm². Theproliferation of the hyphae was lete and the foam itself was almostviewed by eye.

EXAMPLE 5

By following the same procedure as in Example 1 except that thepolyurethane foam was impregnated with 10 ml of the fundamental culturemedium and 0.014 g of the spores of Beauveria brongniartii (tenella) wasdusted thereto in place of inoculating the culture solution, Beauveriabrongniartii (tenella) was cultivated. When the number of hyphae wasmeasured after cultivating for 2 weeks at 25° C., the number was 6.7×10⁵cells/cm². The proliferation of the hyphae was late and the foam itselfwas almost viewed by eye as in Example 4.

EXAMPLE 6

In 1 liter of the fundamental culture medium as in Example 1 wasdissolved 15 g of agar. Then, by following the same procedure as inExample 1 except that the polyurethane foam was impregnated with 1 ml ofthe aforesaid agar culture medium and 1 ml of the culture solution wasinoculated, Beauveria brongniartii (tenella) was cultivated. When thenumber of hyphae was measured after cultivating for 2 weeks at 25° C.,the number was 3.4×10⁷ cells/cm². The hyphae were increased to an extentof hiding the polyurethane foam itself. The thickness of the fungi layerwas observed on the foam and the surface of the foam was covered byspores.

EXAMPLE 7

In 1 liter of the fundamental culture medium as in Example 1 wasdissolved 15 g of agar. Then, by following the same procedure as inExample 1 except that the polyurethane foam was impregnated with 5 ml ofthe aforesaid agar culture medium and 3 ml of the culture solution wasinoculated, Beauveria brongniartii (tenella) was cultivated. When thenumber of hyphae was measured after cultivating for 2 weeks at 25° C.,the number was 6.0×10⁷ cells/cm². The hyphae were increased to an extentof hiding the polyurethane foam itself. The thickness of the fungi layerwas observed on the foam and the surface of the foam was covered byspores.

EXAMPLE 8

In 1 liter of the fundamental culture medium as in Example 1 wasdissolved 15 g of agar. Then, by following the same procedure as inExample 1 except that the polyurethane foam was impregnated with 5 ml ofthe aforesaid agar culture medium and 0.001 g of the spores of Beauveriabrongniartii (tenella) was dusted thereto, Beauveria brongniartii(tenella) was cultivated. When the number of hyphae was measured aftercultivating for 2 weeks at 25° C., the number was 2.9×10⁷ cells/cm². Thehyphae were increased to an extent of hiding the polyurethane foamitself. The thickness of the fungi layer was observed on the foam andthe surface of the foam was covered by the spores.

EXAMPLE 9

After mixing 100 parts by weight of a urethane polymer, 30 parts of achrysalis powder, 15 parts of glucose, and 11 parts by weight of agar,30 parts by weight of an aqueous 5% gelatin solution was added theretoto cause foaming and to provide a foam for cultivating microorganisms.After sterilizing the foam in an autoclave (121° C., 1.2 atms) for 20minutes, the foam was inoculated with 3 ml of a culture solution ofBeauveria brongniartii (tenella) and the cultivation was performed for 2weeks at 25° C. When the number of the spores was measured after thecultivation, the number was 1.9×10⁶ cells/cm². The foam itself waspartially viewed by eye but the number of the hyphae was about 10⁸cells/cm².

EXAMPLE 10

By following the same procedure as in Example 9 except that 2 ml ofdistilled water was added to the foam before sterilizing the foam,Beauveria brongniartii (tenella) was cultivated. When the number of thespores was measured after cultivating for 2 weeks at 25° C., the numberwas 0.7×10⁶ cells/cm². The foam itself was partially viewed by eye butthe number of the hyphae was about 10⁸ cells/cm².

EXAMPLE 11

By following the same procedure as in Example 9 except that 4 ml ofdistilled water was added to the foam before sterilizing the foam,Beauveria brongniartii (tenella) was cultivated. When the number of thespores was measured after cultivating for 2 weeks at 25° C., the numberwas 0.7×10⁶ cells/cm². The foam itself was partially viewed by eye butthe number of the hyphae was about 10⁸ cells/cm².

EXAMPLE 12

By following the same procedure as in Example 9 except that 5 ml ofdistilled water was added to the foam before sterilizing the foam,Beauveria brongniartii (tenella) was cultivated. When the number of thespores was measured after cultivating for 2 weeks at 25° C., the numberwas 0.7×10⁶ cells/cm². The foam itself was partially observed by eye butthe number of the hyphae was about 10⁸ cells/cm².

EXAMPLE 13

By following the same procedure as in Example 9 except that 10 ml ofdistilled water was added to the foam before sterilizing the foam,Beauveria brongniartii (tenella) was cultivated. When the number of thespores was measured after cultivating for 2 weeks at 25° C., the numberwas 0.7×10⁶ cells/cm². The spores were formed over the whole surface ofthe foam. The number of the hyphae was about 10⁸ cells/cm².

EXAMPLE 14

By following the same procedure as in Example 9 except that 12 ml ofdistilled water was added to the foam before sterilizing the foam,Beauveria brongniartii (tenella) was cultivated. When the number of thespores was measured after cultivating for 2 weeks at 25° C., the numberwas 1.4×10⁶ cells/cm². The spores were formed over the whole surface ofthe foam. The number of the hyphae was about 10⁸ cells/cm².

EXAMPLE 15

By following the same procedure as in Example 9 except that 18 ml ofdistilled water was added to the foam before sterilizing the foam,Beauveria brongniartii (tenella) was cultivated. When the number of thespores was measured after cultivating for 2 weeks at 25° C., the numberwas 1.1×10⁶ cells/cm². In other sample, the number of the spores was1.3×10⁶ cells/cm² or 1.8×10⁶ cells/cm². The spores were formed over thewhole surface of the foam. The number of the hyphae was about 10⁸cells/cm².

EXAMPLE 16

The polyurethane foam obtained in Example 9 was cut into 50 mm×500 mm×10mm and magic tapes were fixed to both ends of the foam. The tape-formurethane foam was impregnated with a proper amount of water and aftersterilizing the foam, the foam was inoculated with about 50 ml of aculture solution of Beauveria brongniartii (tenella) to provide a verminexterminating element. When the foam was bound round a trunk of a treeand allowed to stand, the release of the hyphae was not occurred evenafter one week. The spores were also formed.

COMPARISON EXAMPLE 1

When in the test of Example 1, the imagoes of Semanotus japonicusLacordaire were not walked on the vermin exterminating element, theycould alive for 15 days.

COMPARISON EXAMPLE 2

When in the test of Example 3, the imagoes of Psacothea hilaris Pascorewere not walked on the vermin exterminating element, they could alinefor more than 30 days.

As is clear from the aforesaid examples and the comparison examples, thevermin exterminating elements using a foam as the carrier for theculture carrier are excellent in insecticidal effect to long hornedbeetles. Since vermin infectious microorganisms such as molds arecultivated in the foam matrix, the culture efficiency is high. Also,when the vermin exterminating element is allowed to stand on a trunk ofa tree, etc., the hyphae are not separated or flowed out.

The vermin exterminating element of this invention is high in cultureefficiency and excellent in insecticidal effect since vermin infectiousmicroorganisms and/or the spores thereof are cultivated in the inside ofthe culture carrier. The vermin exterminating element of this inventionis particularly high in insecticidal effect to long horned beetles. Inthe case of using a foam matrix for the culture carrier, the culturedmicroorganisms and/or the spores thereof are formed carried in the foammatrix and hence are not released or flown out by natural conditions.Furthermore, since in this invention insects are killed by usingmicroorganisms and/or the spores thereof, they give less damages to menand beasts as compared with chemical insecticides. In the verminexterminating method of this invention, the vermin exterminating elementmay be disposed on a trunk or branch of a tree and hence themicroorganisms are not absorbed by soil and are effectively used forexterminating vermin. The culture carrier in this invention is disposedon a tree, etc., by hanging on, sticking to, binding round, or fixing tothe tree and hence the vermin exterminating method of this invention canbe easily practiced. Accordingly, the vermin exterminating element andthe vermin exterminating method of this invention can be effectivelyutilized for the extermination of long horned beetles and Scarabs.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference tospecific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in theart that various changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vermin exterminating element comprising aculture carrier having culture medium components containing entomogenousfungi and/or the spores of the entomogenous fungi cultivated therein,wherein said culture carrier is a foam matrix selected from the groupconsisting of a polyurethane foam, a polystyrene foam, a polyvinylchloride foam, polyethylene foam, and a polyether foam.
 2. The verminexterminating element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the entomogenousfungi are selected from the group consisting of Beauveria brongniartii(tenella), Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Verticilliumlecanii, and Synnematium jonesii.
 3. The vermin exterminating element asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the culture medium is a foam matriximpregnated with the culture medium components.
 4. The verminexterminating element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foam matrix isa polyurethane foam.
 5. The vermin exterminating element as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the foam matrix is produced by the reaction of apeptide and an isocyante compound.
 6. The vermin exterminating elementas claimed in claim 3, wherein the foam matrix is produced by thereaction of a peptide and an isocyanate compound.
 7. The verminexterminating element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foam matrixcontains a hydrophilic polymer for improving water-holding capacity. 8.The vermin exterminating element as claimed in claim 3, wherein the foammatrix contains a hydrophilic polymer for improving water-holdingcapacity.
 9. The vermin exterminating element as claimed in claim 1,wherein the vermin infectious microorganisms are for exterminating longhorned beetles and/or Scarabs by infecting the long horned beetlesand/or Scarabs with them.
 10. A vermin exterminating method, whichcomprises disposing a vermin exterminating element comprising a culturecarrier having culture medium components containing entomogenous fungiand/or the spores of the entomogenous fungi cultivated therein on atree, crops or poles, to which a vermin extermination is applied,wherein said culture carrier is a foam matrix selected from the groupconsisting of a polyurethane foam, a polystyrene foam, a polyvinylchloride foam, a polyethylene foam, and a polyether foam.
 11. The verminexterminating method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the entomogenousfungi are selected from the group consisting of Beauveria brongniartii(tenella), Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Verticilliumlecanii, and Synnematium jonesii.
 12. The vermin exterminating method asclaimed in claim 10, wherein the culture carrier is a foam matriximpregnated with the culture medium components.
 13. The verminexterminating method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the foam matrix isa polyurethane foam.
 14. The vermin exterminating method as claimed inclaim 12, wherein the foam matrix is a polyurethane foam.
 15. The verminexterminating method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the culture carrieris produced by the reaction of peptide and an isocyanate compound. 16.The vermin exterminating method as claimed in claim 12, wherein theculture carrier is produced by the reaction of peptide and an isocyanatecompound.
 17. The vermin exterminating method as claimed in claim 10,wherein the foam matrix contains a hydrophilic polymer for improving thewater-holding capacity.
 18. The vermin exterminating method as claimedin claim 12, wherein the foam matrix contains a hydrophilic polymer forimproving the water-holding capacity.
 19. The vermin exterminatingmethod as claimed in claim 10, wherein the vermin infectiousmicroorganisms are for exterminating long horned beetles and/or Scarabsby infecting the long horned beetles and/or Scarabs with them.
 20. Thevermin exterminating method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the culturemedium has perforation(s) through which a trunk or branch of a tree towhich vermin extermination is applied can be penetrated.
 21. The verminexterminating method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the culture carrieris fixed to a tree, crops or poles, by driving a nail-like memberthrough the culture carrier into the tree.
 22. The vermin exterminatingmethod as claimed in claim 10, wherein the culture carrier is hung on atree, crops or poles, by a hanging means.
 23. The vermin exterminatingmethod as claimed in claim 10, wherein the culture carrier is aband-form culture carrier.
 24. The vermin exterminating method asclaimed in claim 23, wherein the culture carrier is stuck to a tree,crops or poles.
 25. The vermin exterminating method as claimed in claim23, wherein the culture carrier is bound round a tree, crops or poles.26. The vermin exterminating method as claimed in claim 10, wherein theculture carrier has a flexible wire or cord penetrated therethrough andis fixed to a tree, crops or poles, by the wire or cord.
 27. The verminexterminating method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the culture carrieris placed in a pouch-form case.
 28. The vermin exterminating method asclaimed in claim 27, wherein the pouch-form case is stuck to a tree,crops or poles.
 29. The vermin exterminating method as claimed in claim27, wherein the pouch-form case is hung to a tree, crops or poles,through the case.
 30. The vermin exterminating method as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the culture carrier has a dark place in the insidethereof.
 31. The vermin exterminating method as claimed in claim 10,wherein the culture carrier is placed in a dark place.